Gray stood rigidly near the door, doing everything in his power not to look at her. Instead, he fixed his gaze firmly on the ceiling, as if it were the most fascinating thing in the room. Juvia tilted her head, confused. Why was he acting like this? Had she done something wrong?
Had she upset him?

"Juvia," Gray said, clearing his throat, still refusing to lower his eyes, "you can't go out in just your chemise. You need to wear a dress over it. Something casual. Simple."

Juvia blinked, then looked down at herself. She nodded quickly and moved to the wardrobe, quietly searching for something more appropriate. Gray remained where he was, still staring upward, as if even the slightest glance in her direction would be catastrophic.

A brief silence passed, then he spoke.

"So... thanks to Lucy, I finally know your name," he said, trying to sound casual despite the stiffness in his voice. "Juvia."

She paused, her hands stilling on the fabric.
A soft smile touched her lips. She loved the way her name sounded when he said it.

"It's... unusual," Gray continued, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "But I like it. It suits you. It's... pretty."

Juvia's smile deepened, her cheeks warming slightly as she turned back to the wardrobe, suddenly very focused on picking out the perfect dress.

"Lucy also mentioned that you two are friends," Gray continued, still staring very intently at the ceiling. "I didn't know that. Maybe she could help you... help you... um... um..."

He trailed off, completely losing his train of thought.

Juvia glanced back at him, puzzled. Gray swallowed, clearly flustered. He shifted his weight, rubbing the back of his neck, still refusing to look in her direction.

Poor Gray was struggling to keep his thoughts at bay, trying not to dwell on her curves or her breasts which had been accentuated by that chemise. Willing himself to keep his composure and act like a proper gentleman.

"Help you get settled," he finally finished awkwardly. "In the kingdom, I mean."

She carefully pulled out a dress in soft cherry flower and cream tones. The fabric was light and flowing, with narrow sleeves and a slim, fitted bodice that gave it an elegant yet modest shape.
The dress suited her perfectly, its gentle colors complementing her features and giving her an almost ethereal softness.

Juvia smoothed the fabric lightly, then looked to Gray expectantly.

Gray blinked once—then smiled.

"Much better," he said, finally able to look at her without turning into a statue. "All you need now are some shoes."

Juvia nodded and quickly chose a simple pair of flats. She slipped them on, then gathered her hair and tied it back neatly with a ribbon, giving herself a softer, more finished look.

When she turned back to him, Gray gave an approving nod.

"Alright," he said. "Let's go."

He opened the door and escorted her into the hall, the two of them heading toward the others.
They hadn't gone far when a scream pierced through the air.

Gray stopped immediately, moved to the nearest window, and looked outside. Below, the palace courtyard was in a frenzy. Several maids were scrambling back in fright, skirts gathered in their hands as they shouted and pointed toward the shore.

Gray narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of it.

"What kind of animal is that?" he muttered. "A seal?"

Juvia stepped up beside him and the moment she saw it, her breath caught and her heart dropped.

Conlan.

The small water-horse had hauled himself onto the shore, confused and vulnerable, no doubt searching for her. Panic flooded through her.
Those maids didn't know what he was.
They were afraid of him, and they might try to hurt him.

Juvia turned and ran. She rushed down the stairs as fast as she could, Gray hurried after her, calling out,

"Juvia—wait!"

But she didn't slow down. She flew down the steps and into the courtyard just in time to see one of the maids cornering the creature, raising a garden hoe over her head. Without thinking, she rushed forward and shoved the maid aside before the blow could fall.

The startled woman stumbled back with a cry, dropping the tool. Juvia didn't even look at her.
She dropped to her knees and opened her arms.
The small water-horse let out a familiar, happy sound and leapt straight into her embrace. He nuzzled against her, licking her cheeks eagerly, as if trying to make up for all the time they had been apart.

Juvia laughed silently, tears gathering in her eyes as she held him close. Oh, how she had missed him.

"What is that thing?" one of the maids cried, keeping a safe distance.

"I think it's a serpent!"

"Serpents don't have flippers, you twit!"

"Well it has sharp teeth!"

Juvia paid them no mind. She held Conlan close, soothing him as best she could.

A moment later, Gray rushed into the courtyard, slightly out of breath.

"Juvia, what—"

He stopped short. His eyes landed on the creature in her arms. He blinked. Then blinked again. He actually rubbed his eyes, as if that might somehow make the sight more reasonable.
It didn't.

"Is that... a water-horse?"

"A what?" Another maid asked, still clutching her skirts.

Gray didn't take his eyes off the creature.

"They're... not supposed to be real," he said slowly. "Just stories. Legends from ancient times. My father used to tell me about them. He said they were the rarest creatures in all the ocean."

Juvia reached one hand out to him. Gray hesitated for only a moment before taking it.
Her grip was gentle, reassuring. Then she began guiding his hand toward the creature in her arms. Gray paused just short of touching him, uncertainty flickering across his face as he glanced between Juvia and the small water-horse.

Juvia gave him a small, encouraging nod and let his hand move the rest of the way. Conlan tensed slightly then leaned forward just enough to sniff, his small nose brushing cautiously against Gray's fingers, as if deciding whether this stranger could be trusted. Then with a soft, curious sound, he leaned into the touch, allowing Gray's hand to rest against his head.

"Strange," Gray muttered, still cautiously stroking Conlan's head, "the stories also say water-horses don't like people much. The small ones hide from humans and the big ones apparently eat them."

Juvia raised a single eyebrow at that last remark.

He glanced down at the creature, then added more quietly, "And I was told by one man that they're very ugly. But this one's actually kind of cute."

Juvia nodded softly, in agreement. Conlan was indeed very adorable. And courageous. She couldn't believe he had traveled all this way just to find her. He must have missed her terribly.

Overcome with affection, she leaned down and pressed a few gentle kisses to his head. Conlan made a small, pleased sound.

Gray watched quietly. He watched the way she held the creature. The way it responded to her touch without fear. The way something so wild and unknown seemed to accept her completely, as if it already understood her.

There was something striking about it. Not just the creature—but Juvia. The ease she had with it. The calm confidence. What an incredible girl. To bring a real water-horse into the palace and somehow understand it enough that it trusted her completely.

Juvia then gently carried him down toward the shore. Conlan shifted slightly, reluctant to leave her. Juvia's expression softened.

"It's alright," she seemed to reassure him without words, stroking his head one last time.

Carefully, she reached up and untied a small lace trim from her dress, tying it around Conlan's neck, and pressing one final affectionate kiss to his head. It was a silent promise that she would return to the shore to visit him later. Then, with a final soft sound, he slipped back into the waves and disappeared beneath the surface. Juvia stood at the shore for a moment longer, watching the water ripple where he had gone.

The tide began to rise. At first it was subtle—just a gentle shift in the waterline, curling a little closer to the shore. But then it grew, inching forward with an almost deliberate rhythm, as if the sea itself were breathing.

Juvia noticed. She took a small step back. The water followed. A second step—again, it followed, reaching just far enough to brush against her feet. The waves lingered there, swirling softly around her ankles, as if the sea itself were calling to her. Calling her back home to her brother and sisters.

But pulled away from the shore.

"Are you alright?"

Gray's voice came from behind her. Juvia glanced over her shoulder, then turned fully to face him.

"Be careful not to get too close; the ocean might sweep you away from me,"

The words hung in the air. Gray blinked, clearly caught off guard by what had just come out of his own mouth.

"Did I really just say that?" He thought.

Juvia, on the other hand lit up. Her eyes softened, and without hesitation, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Gray stiffened for a brief second, surprised, then, slowly, he returned the embrace. It was natural. Easy.

But his thoughts were anything but. He stared ahead, confusion creeping in as he tried to make sense of himself.

"Why did I say that?"